What is Orange Order?
Learn more about our origins, what we stand for and what our organisation does
How did the Orange Order come about?
In the 1680s after King James II ascended the throne of England, he began openly flouting the rights and liberties of Protestant subjects, filling all offices with his Jesuit allies. Parliament was dissolved, the laws of the realm were violated and the solemn compact between throne and people was broken. The King took upon himself absolute authority. Matters reached such an unhappy state that some peers of the realm and Bishops of the Anglican Church requested William of the principality of Orange to come over at the head of a force sufficient to put down oppression.
As William accepted, he made it quite clear he had no thoughts of conquest, his only object was to set up a free and legal Parliament which would make all decisions on public and private questions. William arrived in England on 5th November 1688. As many people were afraid to openly support William the first Orange Association was formed on 12th November 1688, they felt there was safety in numbers at a time when opposing a reigning monarch could result in death.
On 1st July 1690, William fought James II at the Battle of the Boyne, James fled to France and William and his wife – Mary, who was the daughter of James II and the rightful heir to the throne, were proclaimed joint rulers – the only time in British history this has happened. Three highly prized liberties obtained during the reign of William III are – Free Press, a Free Parliament, and a Free Pulpit.
The Orange Order continued in existence in various forms and under different names, in 1743 a lodge was in operation under the name ‘Loyal Society of the Orange and Blue’. In 1795 Ireland was in a state of anarchy, Protestants suffered bitter persecution at the hands of organised Roman Catholic bands known by a variety of names, one of which was called the “Defenders.” The atrocities of this persecution resulted in the Battle of the Diamond in County Armagh on 21st September 1795 and the defeat of the rebels.
King William III of England (1650-1702), also known as William of Orange
On the evening of the battle, Protestants of all denominations of the Reformed Church united into one organisation to preserve their way of life and uphold the principles of the Reformed Faith by forming an Orange Society – the start of the Orange Order we know today.
The Orange Order is now a worldwide fraternity which takes its name from William of Orange. It exists in nine countries – England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA, Togo, Ghana, Australia and New Zealand. The Orange Order came to New Zealand in the 1840s with the first known Lodge meeting being held in Auckland in 1843. It quickly spread throughout the country. Today Lodges are spread from Auckland to Invercargill.
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
What does the Orange Order stand for?
The Protestant Faith
To maintain the principles of the Reformation – liberty of thought and conscience, religious equality and freedom of worship for all.
Loyalty to the British Throne
Being Protestant, and the laws of our country.
Maintenance of the principles and traditions of our forebears
Democracy, Parliamentary government, civil and religious liberty.
To maintain a national system of Education
Free, un-denominational and compulsory.
What do we do – What goes on at Lodge Meetings, how often do we meet?
Each lodge operates under a warrant issued by the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand and is responsible for running its own affairs subject to the rules and constitution of our organisation. Most lodges meet monthly with a variety of activities in addition to their regular meetings. They include guest speakers, fund raisers for charity, debates on topical issues, social outings, church attendance, visits to other lodges and more. We experience fellowship, friendship, and enjoy contact with our overseas jurisdictions.
Auckland District Lodge 2024 Annual General Meeting